Because the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps celebrates its one centesimal anniversary, BMW M Motorsport embarks on a mission to defend its title and prolong its document of 25 victories. ROWE Racing and BMW M Workforce WRT, two dominant groups within the endurance racing scene, are set to compete within the Professional class with 4 BMW M4 GT3s, every sporting particular anniversary designs.
Historic Success and Current Aspirations
BMW M Motorsport has a storied historical past at Spa-Francorchamps, with 25 wins over the previous century. This yr’s occasion sees ROWE Racing’s #98 BMW M4 GT3, pushed by final yr’s champions Philipp Eng, Marco Wittmann, and Nick Yelloly, aiming to repeat their victory. BMW M Workforce WRT, celebrating its residence race within the Ardennes, seeks to interrupt an extended winless streak with standout drivers like Sheldon van der Linde and Valentino Rossi.
Groups and Lineups
ROWE Racing will subject two vehicles within the Professional class. The #98, with Eng, Wittmann, and Yelloly, is targeted on a back-to-back win. The #998, pushed by Augusto Farfus, Dan Harper, and Max Hesse, brings momentum from a victory within the Fanatec GT World Problem Europe Endurance Cup season opener.
BMW M Workforce WRT additionally presents two vehicles within the Professional class. The #32 options Sheldon van der Linde, Dries Vanthoor, and Charles Weerts, whereas the #46 automotive, with Raffaele Marciello, Maxime Martin, and Valentino Rossi, goals to safe a podium end.
Within the Bronze class, WRT’s #30 BMW M4 GT3 and Century Motorsport’s #991 BMW M4 GT3 will compete with seasoned drivers, together with Jens Klingmann and Connor De Phillippi.
Management and Driver Insights
Andreas Roos, Head of BMW M Motorsport, emphasised the significance of the occasion: “The purpose for this race is obvious: to repeat final yr’s victory. With defending champion ROWE Racing and BMW M Workforce WRT, we now have an especially sturdy line-up. All 4 crews have the potential to win the race – and we at BMW M Motorsport thus have many irons within the fireplace.”
ROWE Racing’s Workforce Principal, Hans-Peter Naundorf, expressed satisfaction of their previous achievements: “To complete on the entrance once more can be a dream, however that’s extremely tough on this high-calibre subject. We’re pleased to tackle this problem.”
Vincent Vosse, Workforce Principal of BMW M Workforce WRT, highlighted the private significance of the race: “To win once more in 2011 and 2014 as a workforce was magic. Since then we now have at all times been combating on the entrance. We wish to win once more.”
Drivers echoed these sentiments, with Nick Yelloly and Max Hesse of ROWE Racing assured of their preparations and teamwork. Yelloly said, “We achieved the victory final yr, and I see no purpose why we shouldn’t have the ability to do it once more. Philipp, Marco, and I get alongside very nicely on and off the monitor, have an analogous mindset, and complement one another excellently.”
Max Hesse added, “Expectations are excessive. Now we have an excellent beginning place for the 24h Spa-Francorchamps with final yr’s victory for ROWE Racing and our opening win this season in Le Castellet. Our purpose is to gather as many factors as potential within the combat for the Endurance Cup title and hopefully drive onto the rostrum.”
Charles Weerts of BMW M Workforce WRT famous, “With the line-up that BMW M Motorsport and BMW M Workforce WRT are bringing to the beginning, the purpose can solely be victory. Final yr a BMW M4 GT3 gained. We wish to repeat that, however, in fact, we choose it to be with our automotive.”
Maxime Martin expressed his private connection to the race: “The 24h Spa-Francorchamps is a really particular race for me. On the one hand, it’s my residence race, and however, my household has performed an necessary function within the 100-year historical past of the occasion. With my driving colleagues Raffaele and Valentino, we now have a really sturdy package deal, and I hope we are able to have a say within the combat for the rostrum and even the victory.”
